Method and a system for monitoring the handling of an object

Abstract

A method, a system and a device for monitoring the handling of an object. The method includes the steps of attaching a device to said object, sensing variations of light radiation transmitted between said device and a first external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, sensing variations of radio waves transmitted between said device and a second external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, determining handling events of said object on the basis of a combination of said variations of light radiation and said variations of radio waves, and signaling information from said device relating to said handling events.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for monitoring the handling of an object, comprising:
 attaching a device to said object, 
 detecting variations of light radiation transmitted between said device and an external light unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, 
 detecting variations of radio waves transmitted between said device and an external radio unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, 
 determining handling event(-s) of said object on the basis of a combination of said variations of light radiation and said variations of radio waves, 
 wherein determining handling event(-s) includes:
 determining a profile of said light variations and said radio variations and 
 determining handling event(-s) of said object based on said profile 
 
 signaling information from said device relating to said handling event(-s). 
 
     
     
       2. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , were said signaling is performed by light, sound, vibration, or radio. 
     
     
       3. A method in accordance with  claim 2 , also including the step of receiving and analyzing said light, sound, vibration, or radio signals in at least one unit arranged outside the proximity of said object. 
     
     
       4. A method in accordance with  claim 1  also including steps of determining and storing typical profiles corresponding to specific handling events of said object to be applied before, during or after real time monitoring of the object. 
     
     
       5. A method in accordance with  claim 1  comprising sensing ambient light radiation with a light sensitive detector arranged in said device. 
     
     
       6. A method in accordance with  claim 1  also comprising detecting when said device being separated from said object and/or when said device and/or said object is being tampered with and determining handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations, said radio variations, and the signals from said separation detector. 
     
     
       7. A method in accordance with  claim 1  also comprising sensing movements of said object and where the combination of said light variations, said radio variations and said movements are used to determine the handling event(-s) of said object. 
     
     
       8. A system for monitoring the handling of an object comprising:
 a device attachable to said object comprising at least one signaling means arranged to communicate information, 
 at least one light sensitive detector arranged to detect variations of light radiation transmitted between said device and an external light unit, 
 at least one radio receiver arranged to detect variations of radio waves transmitted between said device and an external radio unit, 
 analyzing means arranged to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations and said radio variations,
 said analyzing means comprising first analyzing means to form a profile based on a combination of said light variations and said radio variations, and 
 second analyzing means to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on said profile, and 
 
 means to electronically connect said light sensitive detector, radio receiver, analyzing means, and signaling means. 
 
     
     
       9. A system in accordance with  claim 8  where said signaling means transmits light, sound, vibration, or radio signals. 
     
     
       10. A system in accordance with  claim 8 , also comprising at least one unit arranged outside the proximity of said object arranged to receive and analyze said light, sound, vibration, or radio signals. 
     
     
       11. A system in accordance with  claim 8  also comprising a storing means arranged to store typical profiles corresponding to specific handling events of said object and to store algorithms to be used in the first and second analyzing means to be operated before, during or after real time monitoring of the object. 
     
     
       12. A system in accordance with  claim 8 , comprising at least one light radiation source arranged in said external light unit to transmit light radiation having a predetermined pattern, and at least one light sensitive detector arranged in said device attached to said object to measure light radiation having said predetermined pattern. 
     
     
       13. A system in accordance with  claim 8 , also comprising at least one sensor to detect when said device being separated from said object and/or when said device and/or said object is being tampered with and wherein the analyzing means is arranged to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations, said radio variations, and the signals from said separation detector. 
     
     
       14. A system in accordance with  claim 8 , also comprising at least one movement sensor arranged in said device attached on said object to measure movements of said object and where the combination of said light variations, said radio variations and said movements are used to determine the handling event of said object. 
     
     
       15. A device for monitoring the handling of an object comprising:
 said device is attachable to said object and comprises
 at least one light sensitive detector arranged to detect variations of ambient light radiation, 
 at least one radio receiver arranged to detect variations of ambient radio waves, 
 analyzing means arranged to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations and said radio variations, said analyzing means comprising
 first analyzing means to form a profile based on a combination of said light variations and said radio variations, and 
 second analyzing means to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on said profile, and 
 
 at least one signaling means arranged to communicate information relating to said handling event(-s). 
 
 
     
     
       16. A device in accordance with  claim 15  where the signaling means is arranged to generate a sound, light or vibration alarm. 
     
     
       17. A device in accordance with  claim 15  also comprising at least one sensor to detect when said device being separated from said object and/or when said device and/or said object is being tampered with, and wherein the analyzing means is arranged to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations, said radio variations, and the signals from said separation detector. 
     
     
       18. A device in accordance with  claim 15  also comprising at least one movement sensor to measure movements of said object and wherein the analyzing means is arranged to determine handling event(-s) of said object based on a combination of said light variations, said radio variations, and said movements.